Biography

Dr. Timothy T. SZE is the Director of the Office of Mainland Affairs at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Division of Public Policy and the Big Data Institute. With over thirty years of experience across academia, policy, and cross-border collaboration, he has dedicated his career to facilitating institutional development and strategic partnerships between Hong Kong and Mainland China.

Since joining HKUST in 2011 as the founding Head of Mainland Affairs, Dr. Sze has played a pivotal role in implementing and advancing the University’s integrated engagement strategy with the Mainland. He later supported the expansion of this role to encompass global outreach as Head of Global Engagement and Greater China Affairs, contributing to the development of international partnerships and institutional positioning. He has also served as Special Assistant to HKUST Presidents—Prof. Wei Shyy (2019–2021) and Prof. Nancy Ip (2022–2024)—providing strategic support on cross-campus initiatives and institutional coordination.

A significant part of Dr. Sze’s work has been his decade-long involvement in the establishment of HKUST(GZ). From the early feasibility phase to operational launch, he served as Secretary of the Governing Board and Director of the General Administration Office, where he facilitated the design and implementation of the governance framework, cross-campus academic policies, and integrated administrative systems spanning finance, HR, operations, and campus security. In this capacity, he acted as a key liaison between the University and relevant central and municipal government bodies, helping to navigate regulatory processes and secure necessary approvals.

Throughout his tenure, Dr. Sze has supported HKUST in securing strategic partnerships and research funding, including collaborations with major entities such as China Resources, China Construction Bank, Yue Xiu, Inspur, and the Wuxi Economic Development Zone, contributing to institutional advancements in areas such as neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and sustainable technology. He also participated in HKUST’s early joint academic initiatives, including as a member of the preparatory task force for the XJTU-HKUST Joint School of Sustainable Development (2012–2014).

Beyond his roles at HKUST, Dr. Sze contributes to public service and professional mediation. He serves as a Member of the Shanghai Pudong District Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (2023–present) and has been appointed by the HKSAR Department of Justice as a Mediator under the CEPA Investment Agreement since 2018. Additionally, he acts as an Administrative Panelist at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and the Asian Domain Name Dispute Resolution Centre (2002–present).

Earlier in his career, Dr. Sze held senior management positions in multinational corporations in Beijing (1999–2011), working across renewable energy, cleantech, TMT, venture capital, and private equity sectors. He completed his Ph.D. in Jurisprudence at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences during this period. His commitment to cross-sector collaboration is further reflected in his co-founding of the China Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs Club (in partnership with WWF and the NDRC Energy Research Institute) and his service on the Board of AIESEC Mainland China (2006–2011).

Academically, his research focuses on Tech for Impact, the digital economy, social entrepreneurship, and Online Dispute Resolution. Dr. Sze holds a PhD in Jurisprudence from the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). He obtained his LLB Degree in Law and Business from Hong Kong Shue Yan University, a Diploma in Law from Peking University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (CPE) from the University of Law in London, and an LLM in Dispute Prevention and Resolution from the University of Westminster, London. He also spent a year in the SASAC-HEC joint EMBA program while based in Beijing.

.